Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Follow Winter Olympic SportsPersonalize Your Feed
When Hockey Canada announced who would wear the Maple Leaf for the men’s hockey team, not one player from Quebec was on the roster.
The only Quebec-born player with even a chance of being selected was Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault, but a slow start to the NHL season forced decision-makers to look elsewhere.
It’s a striking omission. The province that produced Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur (and Guy Lafleur, and Maurice Richard, and Jean Beliveau, and Mike Bossy, and, and, and…) will not have a man playing hockey for Team Canada at the Olympics. (Quebecers Marie-Philip Poulin and Ann-Renée Desbiens will suit up for Canada’s women’s team).
It marks the first time since 1952 — when the Edmonton Mercurys represented the country and won gold in Oslo, Norway.
But stepping in to save the province’s hockey honour is Phil Pietroniro. No, he won’t be wearing the Maple Leaf, but instead, a bright blue Italian jersey.
WATCH | Only Quebec-born player in men’s Olympic hockey:
A Quebecer will compete in men’s hockey at the Olympics — just not for Canada
Phil Pietroniro was born in Saint-Eustache, Que., just north of Montreal. He’ll be playing for the Italian men’s hockey team at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games.
A winding path to Europe
The 31-year-old was born in Saint-Eustache, Que., and played four seasons in the QMJHL (Shawinigan, Val-d’Or, Gatineau, Victoriaville) and then ECHL (Utah).
Eventually, Pietroniro packed his bags and headed to Europe, landing first in Italy, where his dad, Marco, played professionally. Eventually, the young Pietroniro was able to obtain an Italian passport.
The defenceman’s play caught the eye of the Italian national team and he has been suiting up for the Azzurri in international games, but nothing was guaranteed — until he got a call from the coach about the Olympics.
“Obviously that was a great feeling. [I’m] super honoured and grateful and very happy,” he said.
From Saint-Eustache to Milano-Cortina
Pietroniro comes from a hockey family. All four of his brothers play professionally, and his father still coaches at Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke, Que., (an independent boarding prep school) and is the general director at Académie Universel. Marco will be in the stands to watch his son, the Olympian.
“We knew that he was going to be the only Quebecer going to participate. It’s really a privilege to be an Olympic athlete and then to be able to share this experience with him is another privilege,” he said.
Does Pietroniro feel any extra pressure being the only Quebecer to play in the men’s tournament?
“Not at all. Personally, I had no idea. So I had no time to think about that but [I’m] definitely happy to be there,” he said in an interview from his home in Kladno, Czechia, where Pietroniro plays professionally.
And who is the Kladno Knights’ president and occasional player? None other than hockey legend Jaromir Jagr. The 53-year-old who sits in second spot on the NHL’s all-time points list is even part owner of the club.
“He’s a good guy. A hard worker,” marvelled Pietroniro. “I’ve learned a lot from him over the past two years. It’s amazing to see his work ethic at his age. He’s an incredible person and player.
“My first goal in the league was assisted by him so that was pretty special on its own.”
No pressure
Italy isn’t expected to medal at this event. It qualified for the tournament as the host country. Italy’s best-ever finish at the Olympics was seventh spot (out of 10 teams) in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 1956. But the defenceman thinks this team could surprise a few experts.
“I think we have a good team this year. A lot of guys are there to prove. I think it’s going to be a good tournament for us. We’re super excited as a group to represent Italy and we’re going to do our best out there and try to make a name for ourselves,” he said.
He’ll have a pretty vocal fan base. Besides his parents, three of his brothers will be there, too.
“Even my wife’s parents are going to be there with her brother and my little daughter is going to be coming, as well. So that’s gonna be super fun to be able to cherish all that.”
Italy’s first game is Feb. 11 against Sweden. Slovakia and Finland are also in the pool.
